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Budget busted by $60 million Pope and DHHS goof

Submitted by teddyrooseveltp... on Wed, 06/04/2014 - 07:32

WRAL is out with the news this morning that the Department of Health and Human Services has blown a $60 million hole in the state's budget. Budget Director Art Pope and DHHS head Aldona Wos issued a press release this morning, revealing that the state had violated Federal guidelines on Medicaid.

During budget meetings earlier this year, Department of Health and Human Services officials guaranteed lawmakers that they had the Medicaid budget under control and that there would be no late-spring surprises from unexpected cost overruns. While this isn't a billing error or computer glitch like those that have plagued the department in the past, it is a nasty fiscal shock that comes in the middle of the budget process.

"Without that provision, the Senate budget is $60 million out of place," (Republican Senator Ralph) Hise said. The Senate has already completed work on its proposed budget. House budget writers are beginning to put together their proposal. The two documents will have to be reconciled before going to Gov. Pat McCrory for his signature.

The new Medicaid hole, Hise said, will complicate budget negotiations between the House and Senate.

"This is the basic definition of what is non sustainable, irresponsible and just shows no fiscal responsibility," Hise said, wondering out loud how something like this happens.

Art is hellbent on protecting his own personal tax cut. The numbers don't support that (witness the $455M revenue shortfall), so he went looking for ways to get more revenue. He settled on charging fees to mental health agencies. Not only is that repugnant, it violates federal regulations.

So now the NC GOP will give in and rescind the tax cuts for the rich...and pigs will fly.

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"I will have a priority on building relationships with the minority caucus. I want to put substance behind those campaign speeches." -- Thom Tillis, Nov. 5, 2014

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"I will have a priority on building relationships with the minority caucus. I want to put substance behind those campaign speeches." -- Thom Tillis, Nov. 5, 2014

continues to have a job only because she is a big-time Republican fundraiser.

(Pat also has said that she's one of the smartest people he knows, which proves he doesn't get out much).

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"I will have a priority on building relationships with the minority caucus. I want to put substance behind those campaign speeches." -- Thom Tillis, Nov. 5, 2014

Yep, that's pretty much how Prevaricating Pat and his preposterous proxies operate. Deception, trickery and calling a turd a rose: that's the McCrony way!

And although it goes without saying, the story also included this line:

DHHS officials did not make anyone available to answer questions.

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"I will have a priority on building relationships with the minority caucus. I want to put substance behind those campaign speeches." -- Thom Tillis, Nov. 5, 2014

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